This is a very charming romance. It basically makes fun of every romance trope that exists in a very meta but also sweet way.
Any Trope but You tells the story of Margot, a successful romance writer (she knows every trope) who goes to rural Alaska to write her latest book. She meets Forrest there and hijinks ensues (enemies to lovers, both care for sick relatives, she is blond and beautiful, he is a huge buff lumberjack etc. etc.) We all know how this story goes but Victoria Lavine tells it with wit and creativity. She is definitely a new romance writer to watch.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.75 stars

Margot is a romance writer who has not had the best of luck with romance in her own life. She has been hurt one to many times, and although she writes books about them, does not believe in Happy Ever Afters. Once her readers find out about this, they turn on her. With her career spiraling, her sister books her a 6 week get-away so she can focus on getting her life, and next book, back on track. Of course, she meets a handsome man when she arrives at her retreat, and her life begins to follow a variety of romance tropes. Will this be enough to make Margot believe in Happy Ever Afters once more?

We follow Margot, and Forrest, the mmc, through the many romantic tropes that take place in this book. They both have similar experiences in taking care of sick loved ones, and losing people they love, which is where their connection really blossoms from. They have also both been hurt romantically in the past, and therefore have mile high walls built up arround themselves.

I personally love the premise so much. A romance writer who doesn't believe in romance!? A romance writer who knows all the tropes, yet still tries to not fall in love when they are happening to her!?

The connection between the two main characters is incredible. The witty, sarcastic humor is the key to a good story for me. I was laughing and crying throughout this whole book. The amount of smut was perfect, enough to get the point across, but not overbearing. The writing itself was also incredible. It flowed really easily and the metaphors used throughout were original and kept it engaging.

Although there was some repetition it really didn't bother me, and i was fully invested in the romance from the beginning of their cringe meet cute.

I really wanted to give this book 5 stars, it was so very close for me. I think where it fell a little short was the unrealistic recovery time of an injury the fmc sustained. With how intense it seemed, she should not have been able to go on a grueling hike a week later.

I loved everything else though, I didn't see any obvious plot holes, inconsistencies or other unrealistic situations, which are big per peeves of mine.

Its hard to believe this is a debut novel from the author, and I will definitely be getting my hands on any other books she publishes in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

DNF 15% in
I'm sorry!!! I'm sorry ok!! This has a lot of potential but there was soooo many pop culture references that I just couldn't do it anymore.

That and it was veryyyy trope heavy- which yeah it literally has trope in the title but wow it was a lot.
Ultimately not what I was in the mood for. I read the last chapter and I'm not sad about not finishing it👀😅

Really enjoyed this super fun rom com about a romance writer who’s happily never after endings to her beloved book leaks on the internet and she get cancelled by her fans. As a way to reset her mindset her sister sends her to a remote lodge in Alaska where see meet the son of the owner who happens to fit all the romance tropes from her books she’s trying to get away from. I love a book filled with misadventures and a moose named Bullwinkle.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an eARC. A romance author stops believing in happily ever afters and once her readers find out they turn on her. She goes to Alaska to recover and try writing a mystery novel. She has an adorable and funny meet cute with a handsome man in Alaska. He is trying to focus on caring for his father and she doesn’t believe in love but the more time they spend together the more romance tropes she sees in her daily life. Cute and funny romance that made me laugh. Also deals with family health issues and the love of family. Deals with parental trauma and relationship trauma. Recommend this romance novel.

3.5 stars! I really enjoyed the off the grid, Alaska setting of this book and it made it a perfect winter read. Since it was a romance book about a romance writer, it was very heavy on tropes/pointing out tropes to the point where I felt like there could’ve been less or just integrating them naturally. I also felt the reason that Margot was cancelled by her readers was super unrealistic.

Definitely the kind of debut that gets me excited for more from the author, this was such a love letter to the romance genre. I loved the concept of a romance writer whose own love life has fallen apart, making it difficult to deliver the HEAs her readers expect. Seamlessly blending romance with women’s fiction, this digs deep while still letting the love story shine. Our heroine is forced to go on a journey of self-reflection… with a man who embodies every quality of a perfect book boyfriend right by her side. The relationship is front and center, even as both characters fight against it with all their might. The push/pull kept me turning the pages, and I ended up bingeing this in one sitting. There were a couple of small things that bugged me, but I sincerely enjoyed the journey the whole way through. It was a strong 4/low 5-star read for me, and one that left an impact.

The story follows Margot, an author who has gotten herself into some trouble. Though every one of her books ends with the characters living happily ever after, she has a private document that details the way those relationships unravel after the final page. That document is essentially a sad journal, and it was never meant to go public… until it does. Suddenly cancelled by her fans and not sure what to do with herself, Margot’s sister sends her on a weeks-long trip to Alaska. Out in the wilderness with no connection to the internet, Margot is forced to push herself in ways she never imagined. The worst part? Her ruggedly handsome wilderness guide, Forrest. Though the two clash from the moment they meet, there’s something about Forrest that pulls Margot in. As the two find themselves in countless tropey situations, Margot soon realizes that Forrest might just be book boyfriend material after all - if only she could keep him.

I’m really torn between 4 and 5 stars, though that’s a good problem to have. This was very well done, and the potential in Lavine’s writing shines through. The characters are complex and multifaceted, the romance is both swoony and angsty, and the vibes shift from playful to emotional. It truly put me through my paces, and a lot of the themes are thought-provoking. Plus, we have the absolute dream man that is Forrest. I loved him more with every layer that was revealed, and Margot knew she didn’t stand a chance at guarding her heart against him. I will say that the pacing was a little peculiar - Forrest and Margot begin fighting their feelings early on, constantly encountering new obstacles that force them to retreat. They traveled through a myriad of romance tropes, and I enjoy some of those more than others, lol. Their connection was great though, and I loved how much they ultimately had in common. I doubt I’ll forget this story anytime soon, which is why I'm choosing to round up my rating.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had a feeling this book was going to be a ton of fun, and I was dead on! With a title like this, it’s fair to make the assumption that it’ll be filled with your favorite romance tropes. While they are present in full force, it comes from an incredibly meta approach considering our FMC is a romance writer herself.

Margot is ferocious and incredibly tightly wound from her recent catastrophes and Forrest is potentially even more stubborn than his father, making the two a perfect match to buttheads day in and day out.

I really loved watching the two characters grow from their past experiences. Both experience their own journey where they have to confront their past in order to see a future.

I read this book over the course of three days and had a hard time putting it down because I just wanted to stay in this world!

For a debut, this was an amazing start to what I hope is a long and amazing writing career. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

‘Any Trope But You’ releases on April 1st, 2025!

thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc read in exchange for an honest review.

overall this was a fairly cute read. i will say it is deeply cliche and the ending felt rushed. but aside from that this was generally a fun winter read.

Any Trope But You



Margot is a romance writer who has been canceled after her readers realize she no longer believes in happy endings since being dumped by her fiancé. She goes away tow rite only to find herself confronted by every romance trope ever by the son of the hotel owner, Forrest. This book was very cute in the ways it chose to skewer each romance trope. Margot and Forrest were very likeable characters who were both healing from heartbreak (her’s romantic, and his grief over his mom). This book was more dimensional as it addressed the ability to loose yourself being a caregiver for a loved one; Margot for her sister Savannah and Forrest for his dad. I also appreciated that this wasn’t so much “instalove” and the characters understood each other’s strengths and flaws. I didn’t expect a trope book to have this much depth. 4 stars. Thanks to Net Galley and Atria Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

If I could give infinity stars, I would in a heartbeat for this book. I can’t even begin to describe how much I loved reading this (but I’m going to try!).

The premise was SO fun - I can’t imagine any romance reader not absolutely loving this setup. Margot and Forrest were both so easy to root for, and their dedication to each of their families tugged at my eldest daughter heartstrings several times throughout the book. The chemistry between them was electric - I think I *actually* physically swooned for Forrest at one point???

This is Victoria Lavine’s debut novel, and she has made me a fan for life. I finished reading this on a flight home to LA from visiting family for Thanksgiving, and received at least 3 pointed stares when I started openly sobbing in my seat reading through her dedications at the end of the book. I am hungrily awaiting her next release and would encourage any romance reader to get her name on your radar immediately. She’s going to be one we ALL are running to bookstores for.

Thank you to Atria Books for this eARC!

Solid 4 stars! I really loved everything about this romance. Forrest and Margot were characters you could root for with an adventurous backdrop and fun and entertaining supporting characters. I don’t have a single negative thing to say. It was the perfect story for a cozy holiday read. I’m so glad I picked this up!

Thank you to Atria books and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for my review!

Thoughtful characters who are more well-developed than a typical romance... these humans seem like they are out there, somewhere, making choices and living their lives. And the backdrop of Alaska is enticing... you'll want to take the journey and remind yourself that it is okay to push pause on all things romance. You'll find your way back when the time is right.

One of the sweetest books I’ve read this year! I absolutely loved the meet cute (or should I say moose-cute? hehe) scene with Margot and Forrest. The chemistry between them was electric! I loved the wintery cabin setting, the quirky cast of characters lodging there and all the hiking adventures that went on. But what I loved the most was the caretaker storyline that was the very heart of this book. Taking care of a loved one is both a joy and a challenge, it was a privilege for me to care for my own grandmother in her later years. I loved that Margot and Forrest were each other’s mirrors in this, that they completely understand what it is to be selfless and to put someone else’s needs before their own. The only thing I wish is that we had more of them! I did not want this book to end!

So I need to go to Alaska and find my own rugged mountain man immediately. I love Savannah and swiftie-ness. I love how Forrest and Margot understand each other so deeply. I love how this was about Margot’s journey in finding herself again and getting her confidence back. I love this debut and I’m kinda obsessed of Victoria Lavine <3

2.3/3 stars, not fully sure where I land. It was cute. It was also just ok. I have two things that are on the forefront of my mind when I think of this book. 1. I was very underdeveloped. I feel like we could have just fleshed out EVERYTHING a little bit more. 2. The reason the characters were interested in each other was truly because of who they were as people and their interests, BUT it felt overshadowed at every interaction by the physical attraction they had for each other. Even then it felt forced, because we were told they were attracted to each other but not really shown. Like I said, it was cute. I liked the general plot. It just didn't fully deliver the way I wanted it to.

A huge thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the eARC!

This was a great story of finding your happily ever after after heartache.

Forrest is the ultimate ML, thoughtful, smart, kind, and intuitive. Oh, and handsome to top it all off.

Margot is a strong woman who has been taking care of everyone around her without realizing she desperately needs someone to take care of her.

I loved how the author played on the "romance trope" train the whole time.

This was a quick and sweet read.

Victoria Lavine’s debut, Any Trope but You, is a heartfelt and swoon-worthy love letter to romance and the people we hold dear. This story perfectly blends humor, vulnerability, and classic rom-com tropes with a refreshing twist.

Margot Bradley, a bestselling romance author, secretly doesn’t believe in Happily Ever Afters. When her alternate, tragic endings to her books are leaked, her career takes a nosedive. Hoping to reset, her sister books her a trip to a remote Alaskan resort to write a murder mystery instead. Enter Forrest Wakefield—a grumpy, dreamy former cancer researcher turned resort manager, who gave up his career to care for his ailing father.

Their meet-cute? A moose. Yes, Margot literally runs into Forrest’s arms after an encounter with the massive creature. From there, sparks fly in the most trope-tastic ways: enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, a one-bed situation, and undeniable chemistry. Alaska’s snowy, internet-free setting adds to the charm, creating space for Margot and Forrest to confront their vulnerabilities and form a deep, emotional connection.

Beyond the romance, Lavine highlights the sacrifices and isolation of being a caretaker in a way that’s both poignant and tender. The supporting cast—quirky, lovable, and full of heart—adds depth to the story, making this not just a romance but a celebration of love in all its forms.

This story is sweet, spicy, and brimming with charm. It’s a dreamy Alaskan escape full of laughter, tears, and tropes galore. Margot and Forrest’s love story is magic, and I cannot wait to see what Victoria Lavine writes next! Highly recommended for romance lovers.

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books and Victoria Lavine for this arc!

After an interview-gone-wrong, Margot, a romance author who doesn’t believe in love, takes a trip to Alaska to get away and try her hand at writing a new genre. But she soon realizes a happily ever after might be in her future after all…

(Something tells me this book will be popular on BookTok and in our bookstore.)

🏔️ Set in Alaska
😍 Enemies to lovers
🏕️ Excursions in the Alaskan wilderness
🔥 Lots of your favorite tropes in one book

A must-read if you like rom-coms, cozy vibes, and spice!

Victoria Lavine’s "Any Trope but You" is a meta twist on classic rom-com tropes. Margot Bradley, a bestselling romance author, has made her career on Happily Ever Afters, but secretly doesn’t believe in them. When her "Happily Never After" alternate endings are leaked, her career implodes, and she retreats to Alaska to reinvent herself as a murder mystery writer. But instead of finding inspiration for crime, she finds herself snowed in at a resort managed by the gruff yet swoon-worthy Dr. Forrest Wakefield.

Forrest is grappling with his own struggles, having traded a promising career in cancer research for running his family’s resort and caring for his ailing father. He’s determined to avoid any more heartbreak, but Margot, with her sharp humor and hidden vulnerability, begins to thaw his frozen walls. Their journey reinvents a slew of romance tropes—a moose-induced meet-cute, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, quirky supporting characters, and a grand romantic gesture.

I'm definitely looking forward to more from this author!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.